Salon ‘alarm’ at failed tests

Tanning salons have been warned after high numbers of their sunbeds failed safety checks.

Trading Standards officers tested the UV radiation levels of 37 sunbeds which were available to the public in 14 businesses across Lancaster and Morecambe.

Only seven sunbeds (19%) were found to comply with product safety standards that impose a maximum UV emission of 0.3W/m2, which is equivalent to the summer midday sun in the Mediterranean.

Eighteen sunbeds (48%) were found to be at least two times over the limit.

Five (13%) were found to be at least three times over the limit.

Businesses which failed the safety test have been warned and instructed to lower UV emissions to acceptable levels or face possible legal action.

County Councillor Janice Hanson, cabinet member for public protection and waste, said: “The number of tanning salons whose sunbeds have failed these tests is quite alarming.

“Whilst work so far has been focused in Morecambe and Lancaster, the problem is likely to be more widespread and we’ll be carrying out tests in other areas in the coming months.

“However, we want to take this opportunity to highlight the problems we have already encountered. Public safety is of utmost importance and these results show that Lancashire residents need to exercise care if using sunbeds.”

Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards Service will be writing to all businesses that make sunbeds available to the public to alert them to the test results and to check theirs are safe.

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